William Friedkin was an award-winning director and screenwriter who was best known for “The Exorcist” and “The French Connection.”
- Died: August 7, 2023 (Who else died on August 7?)
- Details of death: Died in Bel-Air, California, of heart failure and pneumonia at the age of 87.
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William Friedkin’s legacy
Born to Jewish immigrants from Ukraine, Friedkin’s love of cinema grew out of repeated viewings of films like “Psycho” and “Citizen Kane.” After high school, he began directing live television and documentaries. His 1962 film “The People vs. Paul Crump” won an award at the San Francisco International Film Festival. A few minor works followed, including an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and his film debut, “Good Times,” starring Sonny and Cher.
Friedkin rose to prominence in 1971 with the release of “The French Connection,” adapted from the Robin Moore novel of the same name. Starring Gene Hackman, the film was a huge success: It received raves at the box office, garnered eight Academy Award nominations, and won five, including Best Picture and Best Director. His next film, “The Exorcist,” became the first horror movie ever nominated for Best Picture and earned nine other Oscar nominations. As a cultural phenomenon, the film spawned numerous sequels, all of which Friedkin disavowed.
Friedkin worked consistently through the ensuing decades, adding such films as “Sorcerer,” “To Live and Die in L.A.,” and “Rules of Engagement” to his legacy. He even directed an episode of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” which reunited him with “To Live and Die in L.A.” star William Petersen. His final film, “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” was completed and scheduled for release in September 2023.
Tributes to William Friedkin
Full obituary: Los Angeles Times
